ESHS/HSS Annual Meeting

History of Science as Agent of Change? Handling Colonial Natural History Objects

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

English Abstract

Over the past few decades, imperial research and collecting practices have undergone thorough reappraisal. The methodologies of collection history, the history of scientific expeditions, military history, and field science were brought together to scrutinize the excesses of accumulation in natural history. Natural history practices emerged as integral components of extractivist policies, frequently accompanied by physical, structural, and epistemic violence. Detailed provenance research revealed the logistical, legal, and economic connections between the empire and natural history research.
This roundtable invites scholars and practitioners from natural history institutions to discuss if and how this body of work has transformed practices within natural history collections and museums. The discussion will explore how the history of science can unleash transformative potential within natural history institutions and its relationship to activist forms of critique. Participants will discuss processes of transformation and critically evaluate recent political developments in museums by asking: How do natural history museums attempt to acknowledge the violent past of their institutions and collections? How can institutional perspectives be shifted in response to criticism to achieve better science and a more just future? What does it mean to take responsibility for past wrongs?
Alexandra P. Alberda (federally enrolled member of the Jemez of Pueblo; White), Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, UK, will discuss how the Indigenising programme is leading organisational change to better promote truth-telling, Indigenous leadership, and be accountable to Traditional Knowledge and Knowledge Holders historically and today.
Sam Alberti and John Giblin, National Museums Scotland, UK, will discuss the colonial histories and legacies of natural science collections, focussing on the way a wild Africa was imagined with specimens and human remains.
Katja Kaiser, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Germany, will give insight into a guideline for handling colonial natural history objects, conceived and written by experts from the Berlin museum.
Miranda Lowe, Natural History Museum, London, UK, discusses personal perspectives as a natural sciences curator and scientist with African & Caribbean heritage on the everyday practise for curators handling natural history collections with colonial legacies.
Sabine von Mering, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Germany, will highlight the potential of Linked Open Data for the ontextualisation of colonial collections and related historical events, such as expeditions.

Sub Unit

• Roundtable

Participants

• Samual J.M.M. Alberti, National Museums Scotland

• Katja Kaiser, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

Session Organizers

• Ina Heumann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Humanities of Nature

• Alexandra P. Alberda, Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, UK

• John Giblin, National Museums Scotland

• Miranda Lowe

• Sabine von Mering, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin